Optimizing efficiency in the acute care chain: a systematic review on the implementation and impact of interdisciplinary short-term monitoring in acute care units.

ABSTRACT: The growing number of patients with multimorbidity and increasing disease complexity presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) poses a global challenge, with overcrowding as a major consequence. To address these pressures, various interdisciplinary short-term monitoring and treatment units, such as Acute Medical Units, Frailty Units, Observation Units, and Chest Pain Units, have been implemented to improve patient flow from presentation to discharge. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, aimed to evaluate the reported effects of these units on patient outcomes and ED crowding. We searched multiple databases and included studies reporting at least one primary outcome measure (length of stay, mortality, costs, readmissions, or staff satisfaction) following imple

SUBMITTER: Neijzen TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12948887 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature